Valve operating mechanism



Nov. 24, 1942.

E. J. FlTZ VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet -1 ,Filed April 12,1938 Nov. 24, 1942. E. J. FlTZ 2,302,848

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet? Nov. 24,1942. J, F Tz 2,302,848

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 an I aw: V n M k E. J. FlTZ I 2,302,848

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 PatentedNov. 24, 1942 VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM Edward J. Fitz, Fairfleld, Conn,assignor to Jenkins Bros., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New JerseyApplication April 12, 1938, Serial No. 201,594 13 Claims. (01; 172-239)This invention relates to devices for opening and closing valves, andmore particularly to valve operating mechanisms of theelectricallyactuated, automatically controlled type wherein manually operable meansare also provided for opening or closing the valves in an emergency.

Although valve operators of the same general character as that of thepresent invention have been known to the art for some time, these priordevices have not proven entirely satisfactory from a practicalstandpoint because of various dimculties inherent in the particularmechanical and electrical arrangements proposed.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide avalve operating mechanism of new and improved construction which willensure eiiicient and dependable operation under all conditions and willbe free from the deiects of similar devices hitherto known.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve operator of theelectrically actuated type wherein novel means are provided forautomatically opening the electrical supply circuit either when thevalve reaches a predetermined point in its travel in either direction orwhen during its movement toward closed position torque of apredetermined value is built up in the power transmission line betweentheelectric motor and the valve.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel combination oftravel limit and torque responsive means for controlling the supply ofcurrent to the driving motor of an electrically actuated valve operatingmechanism.

Still another obiec of this invenion is to pro vide an automaticallycontrolled, motor driven valve operator of improved construction whereinthere are incorporated both a positivedrive from the motor to the valveduring the valve opening operation, so as to ensure opening of the valveeven though it may tend to stick to its seat, and a torque responsivelyyielding drive in the valve closing direction which eflects properseating of the valve regardless of wear in the cooperating valve andvalve seat surfaces.

A still further object is to provide a motor driven valve operator withnovel mechanical means for automatically opening the motor circuit whenthe torque applied to the valve moving mechanism exceeds a predeterminedvalue.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a valve operator ofthe type normally driven by electr cal energy with novel manuallyoperable means for opening and closing the valve in an emergency.

Another, object of this invention is to provide a novel valve operatingmechanism which is structurally simple, economical to manufacture,durable, and dependable in operation.

These and other objects will appear more fully upon consideration of thedescription of the embodiment of the invention which follows. Althoughonly one specific form of valve operator has been described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be expresslyunderstood that these drawings are for purposes of illustration only andare not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention,reference being had for the latter purpose to the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section, with certain parts shown in full,taken through the axis of the drive shaft of one form of valve operatingmechanism embodying the present invention, the elements being shown inthe positions occupied thereby when the valve is closely adjacent itsclosed or seated position and when the manual operating means isdisengaged;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the mechanism of Fig. 1, as seen from the rightin the latter figure, with certain parts shown in section along therotor axis of the driving motor;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3--3 in Fig. 1showing the form of connection between the main driving shaft and thevalve gear;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view through the switch box takensubstantially on line H in Fig. 1 with certain parts shown in full;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the switch box with the cover removed as seenfrom the left in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram oi! the electrical equipment embodied in thevalve operating mechanism of the present invention showing the positionsof the various elements of said equipment when the mechanism is in thecondition indicated in Fig. 1;

ated power transmission mechanism for normally operating a valve gear(the valve itself having been omitted from the drawings in the interatof simplicity), an arrangement of travel limit and torque responsivelimit switches for controlling the supply of current to the motor, andmanually actuatable means normally inoperative but operable in the eventof an emergency for opening and closing the valve. As shown, the maindrive shaft Id of the device is journaled in suitable bearing bushings Hand I2 whiclfi are mounted in bosses l2 and I4, respectively, of a twopart, oil-tight housing I. Oil may be added to or drained from housingI! by removing plugs I6. Surrounding shaft ill and secured to boa I3 ofhousing is as by threads I1 is a nut II designed to pack material It toprevent oil leakage along shaft Hi from housing I 5. Packing nut II issecured against rotation by clamp and bolt 24. Shaft II is reduced indiameter as at 2|, and secured thereto for rotation therewith as by key22 is driving collar 23 which, as shown best in Fig. 3, is provided atone point of its periphery with an outwardly extending lug or finger22'. Mounted for rotation upon shaft I and recessed to receive drivingcollar 23 is valve .drive gear 24 which has a hub 25 extending outwardlyalong shaft ll. Slidably supported upon hub 24 is a sleeve 24, theinner. end of which has an outwardly turned flange notched at one pointon its periphery to receive and lockingly engage with a pin 21 which isslidably mounted in gear 24. Pin 21 normally extends inwardly into therecessed portion of gear 24 sumciently to engage the finger 23' ofdriving collar 22 in the manner indicated in Fig. 3.

The outer end of sleeve, 24 is recessed as at 28 to receive a spring 22the inner end of which normally urges the sleeve to the left as seen inFig. 1 so as to bring the flanged end thereof into contact with drivegear 24, the outer end of spring 29 abutting against spring rest 30mounted in a recessed portion 2! of hub 25 and held in position by cap32 which is suitably secured to hub 25 of gear 24, as by a set screw 42.Mounted for rotation on sleeve 24 is liner 33 upon which is mounted hub34 of hand wheel 25, said liner and hub being secured together by alocking pin 26. Oil or grease may be admitted to thisassembly throughany suitable lubricating fitting I1.

Hub 34 of hand wheel 35 is enlarged and recessed as indicated at 38 toprovide a housing for the mechanism by which the hand wheel may becoupled to the valve gear 24 for manual operation. As shown, there ismounted in recessed portion 38 a plunger 39 urged outwardly by spring40. A glass cover 4| held beneath clips 42 (Fig. 2) normally retainsplunger 39 in its inward position (Fig. 1) against the action of spring40. Plunger 39 is circumferentially recessed at 43 to receive finger 44of cam. member 45 which is designed to rotate about pin 48 and to engagecam slot 4'! of sleeve 26 when the manually actuatable means are inoperative position (see Figs. 7 and 8).

Within housing i shaft II is provided with shoulders 49 and 50, and witha portion ll of lesser diameter than shoulder 50 having a pair ofdiametrically opposite spiral grooves 52 formed in the surface thereof.The shoulder 49 abuts against bearing bushing H and prevents movement ofthe shaft outwardly to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. Mounted for bothrotation and longitudinal movement upon portion ii is a sliding sleeve52 normally is urged against shoulder 50 by a spring II which actsthrough a ball thrust bearing 54 against an internal shoulder 58 ofsleeve 52 at one end and against an adjustable collar or nut 51 threadedto shaft in at the other. Mounted upon sleeve 53 is worm gear 58 thelatter being partially supported by ball bearings 59 engaging shoulders49 and 50 of shaft l0 and partially by a bearing bushing 60 housed in aboss 8i formed integrally with housing IS. The outside surface of sleeve52 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite, axially extendingprojections or keys 82 (see Fig. 2) which are adapted to be slidablyreceived in corresponding grooves or keyways 83 formed lnteriorly ofworm gear 58. Fixed with respect to each key 62 adjacent the right endthereof (as viewed in Fig. l) and extending radially inwardly is a pin64 on the inner end of which is rotatably mounted a shoe 65, these shoesbeing so formed as to have a sliding fit within the grooves 52 ofportion SI of the shaft l0.

With this construction, the worm gear 58, sleeve 53 and portion SI ofshaft III are so connected to one another that, at all times when thedevice is operating in valve opening direction, and whenever the torquein valve closing direction is less than a; predetermined value, allthree of said elements rotate together; however, should the resistanceto rotation of the shaft ill in valve closing direction increase beyondthe predetermined value (as determined by the helical angle of slots 52and the force of spring 55), the worm gear I8 and sleeve 52 will rotatetogether through a limited angle relatively to portion 5i of the shaftI! while at the same time the sleeve 53 slides axially to the left asviewed in Fig. l relatively to both the worm gear 58 and shaft ill so asto actuate the torque limit switch means next to be described.

Connected to sleeve II for longitudinal or axial movement therewith, butunconnected thereto in so far as rotation of the sleeve is concerned, isa torque rod 67 which passes through the wall of housing I! into aswitch box formed by said wall and a cover 46 detachably connected tothe housing ll, an oil-tight joint being made around the rod 41 by a nutBI and packing I9. Torque rod 41 carries at its outer end an adjustableswitch tripping head TI! and lock nut 1|, said head being adapted tocontact the tail of a combined travel and torque limit trip 12 which issecured to a shaft 13 rotatably supported in arms 14 and ll of housingI5. Also journaled in arms I4 and i5 is a second trip shaft 78 uponwhich is fixed travel limit trip 11. The arm 15 also provides supportfor a channel member 18 secured thereto in any suitable manner as byscrews 12. The channel member ll forms a rotation-preventing guidewayfor a pair of adjustable travel limit tripping nuts 80 and 8| which aremounted upon a left-handedly threaded portion 82 of a travel limitswitch shaft 82. Shaft 02 is rotatably carried within the longitudinalcenter bore 84 of shaft l0 and is fixed at its end opposite to threadedportion 82 to the cap 22 by a pin 85. The bore 84 of shaft I0 isincreased in diameter at" to receive a bearing member I! for shaft 82,acking material 89, and a spring ll adapted to compress the packing andseal the bearing against the leakage of oil outwardly into the switchbox.

The normal driving power for the device is provided by an electric motorof any suitable character mounted in a housing and having field coils 9iand an armature 92 mounted on a tegrally with one of the sections of thetwo part housing I5. Secured to the lower end of shaft 22 for rotationtherewith, as by a key 22 and nut and cotter pin 21, is a worm 28 indriving engagement with worm gear 52.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and wherein are shown the torque and travellimit trip assembly and associated switches mounted in the switch boxbeneath cover 66, it will be seen that the combined travel and torquelimit trip 12, which is fixed to the shaft 12 by a clamp and bolt 99. isso formed as to be capable of operation by either the tripping head 12of torque rod 61 or the travel limit tripping nut 22 of shaft 22. Trip12 also has an extension IIIII carrying an adjustable stop screw Illwhich engages a suitable portion of arm to limit the rotation of trip 12and shaft 12 in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig, 4, thisrotation being produced by a suitable spring l22 which surrounds shaft12 with one end secured to arm 12 and the other thrusting againstextension I 22. Also secured to shaft 12 as by clamp bolts I02 and H14are switch trip arms I25 and I22 carrying at their extremitiesadjustable trip screws I01 and I02 which are designed to engage leavesI29 and III) of the two poles III and H2 of a combined torque and travellimit switch to open the same when the shaft 12 is rotated in aclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4. The combined torque and travellimit switch may be of any suitable construction, but as here shown isof the double pole type, each pole comprising leaves III! or H2 and H2suitably spaced and insulated by a spacer H4 and secured to aninsulating supporting member H2 by through bolts IIS and H1, the memberH2 in turn being carried by a projection II8 formed integrally with andextending into the switch be from the end wall of housing I2.

As previously described, the travel limit trip 11, which is adapted tobe contacted and moved by travel limit tripping nut H, is secured to thesecond trip shaft 12 and is adapted to rotate said shaft in acounterclockwise direction when the valve reaches its predeterminedlimit of movement in the opening direction. Also mounted on shaft 12 areswitch trip arms H9 and I22 carrying adjustable trip screws I2I designedto engage and open both poles I22 of a travel limit switch when theshaft 12 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4.The travel limit switch may be of any suitable construction, but ispreferably of similar construction to the combined torque and travellimit switch having 'two poles each comprising leaves I22 and I24suitably spaced and insulated by a spacer I25 and secured to theinsulating supporting member II! by the same through bolts H2 and H1 asare used for mounting the combined torque and travel limit switch. Alsocarried by shaft 18 is a spring I26 (Fig. 1), similar to spring I22,having one end secured to arm 15 and the other thrusting against travellimit trip 11 in such manner as to urge said trip and shaft 12 to rotatein a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4.

The electrical connections and controls of the valve operator of thepresent invention are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6 wherein thedriving motor is indicated at 90, III and H2 designate the two poles ofthe combined torque and travel limit switch adapted to be opened eitherby the tripping head 12 of torque rod 21 or by travel limit tripping nut22 when the valve is seated or encounters excessive resistance when'moving in the closing direction, and the poles of the travel limitswitch operated by tripping nut II when the valve is open are designatedat I22. As shown, the three-wire main supply circuit to the motor 22 iscontrolled by two sets of magnetically operated switches I2I, I22, I22and I31, I22, I22, the first set being actuated by a coil I22 energizedthrough the circuit I42 when push button I22 is depressed to open thevalve, while the second set is actuated by asimilar coil I4! energizedthrough the circuit I44 by closing the switch I21 when it is desired tomove the valve toward closed position, Energy for both circuits I44 andI45 is derived from the main supply line through a suitable transformerI22, passing therefrom across the poles III, II2 and I22, I22 of thelimit switches and thence to the push button switches I21 and I22. Inorder to avoid the necessity for continuously holding down the pushbutton switches I21 and I22 during the movements of the valve, the coilsI25 and I are also'adapted to close holding circuit switches I22, I24and I22, I42, respectively, which maintain the current flow through saidcoils as long as the limit switches are closed by short circuiting theswitches I21 and I22.

If desired, suitable signal lamps I42 and I42 may be connected acrossthe circuits I44 and I42, respectively, in the manner illustrated inFig. 6 to indicate the condition of the valve operating mechanism,

Considering now the normal mode of operation of the present device, andwith particular reference to Figs.l-6, let it be tssumed that the deviceis properly adjusted and that the valve is approaching and closelyadjacent to its seated or closed position. In this condition of thedevice bothtravel limit switch I22, I22 and combined torque and travellimit switch III, II2 are in closed position under the influence ofsprings I22 and I22, while switches I26, I21, I22, I22 and I40 are heldclosed by coil I4I which is energized by current from the transformerI22- passing around the manual switch I21 through switches I22 and I42.The motor circuit is thus completed through switches I21, I22 and I22,and the armature 22 rotates shaft 22 and worm 22 in a clockwisedirection (as viewed in Fig. 2) so as to drive the worm gear 22 in asimilar direction. Rotation of worm gear 22 as described, acting throughthe keys 22, sleeve 22, shoes 22 and grooves 22 of the enlarged portionll of shaft II, in turn rotates shaft I2, the spring 22 havingsufficient force to hold sleeve 52 in the position shown in Fig. l inthe absence of a torque in excess of a predetermined value. Rotation ofshaft I2 also rotates driving collar 22 and, through the finger 22 andpin 21, valve gear 24. Rotation of valve gear 24 also acts through pin21 to rotate sleeve 22 within the liner 22 and hub 24 of hand wheel 22,these elements being disconnected due to the fact that the cam member 42is in its normal disengaged position. The movement of valve gear 24 isalso transmitted through hub 25 and set screw 42 to cap 22 which in turnrotates travel limit switch shaft 22 in a clockwise direction throughpin 22. Inasmuch as the portion 22 of shaft 82 is lefthandedly threaded,clockwise rotation of said and the torque load transmitted throughsleeve 53, shoes 65 and grooves 52 becomes greater. When this loadbecomes sufficiently large to overcome the force of spring 55, relativerotation between the worm gear 58 and shaft I takes place with theresult that the sleeve 53 is moved to the left (Fig. 1) against theforce of spring 55 due to the cooperative action of shoes 65 and grooves52. Movement of sleeve 53 to the left also moves torque rod 61 in thesame direction and, as the valve becomes fully seated. brings trippinghead into contact with the tail of limit trip 12, rotating the latter ina clockwise direction (Fig, 4) against the action of spring I02, andopening the contacts of combined torque and travel limit switch III,II2. Opening of limit switch III, II2 opens circuit I44, deenergizescoil I4I, and permits switches I36, I31, I38, I38 and I40 to openthereby breaking the supply circuit to the motor and bringing the de*vice to rest.

As tripping head 10 engages the tail of limit trip 12, the nut 80,moving to the left on shaft 63 as above described, also closelyapproaches contact with said trip to insure. opening of the combinedtorque and travel limit switch II I, II2 if, for any reason, theautomatic torque responsive tripping mechanism should fail to operate.In this connection, it will be noted that the threaded connectionbetween tripping head 10 and torque rod 61 enables the parts to beproperly adjusted so that, during normal operation of the device,opening of the motor circuit upon closing of the valve is effectedautomatically by the torque rod 61 and tripping head 10 just before thenut 80 reaches a position where it would contact and actuate limit trip12..

When the valve is closed, combined torque and travel limit switch III, 2is open and travel limit switch I22, I22 is closed. To open the valveelectrically, push button switch I is closed so as to energize coil I35and close switches I30, I3I, I32, I33 and I34, thereby sending currentto the motor through switches I3I, I32 and I3! and short circuiting theswitch I20 through holding circuit switches I30 and I34. Closing thecircuit to the motor through the switches mentioned reverses thedirection of armature rotation and drives the worm 98 and worm gear 58in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2. During the initialportion of the first revolution of worm gear 58 in this direction, saidgear rotates relatively to shaft I0, the shoes 65 sliding in grooves 52and the sleeve 53 moving to the right under the influence of spring 55and returning to the position shown in Fig. 1. This movement of'sleeve53 also carries torque rod 61 to the right, moving tripping head 10 outof contact with limit trip 12 and permitting combined torque and travellimit switch III, II2 to close under the effect of spring I02.

As soon as sleeve 53 abuts shoulder 50, a posi tive, non-yielding driveis effected between worm gear 58 and shaft I0, and the latter is rotatedin a counter-clockwise direction. In view of the fact that, duringclosing of the valve, the finger 23' of driving collar 23 and pin 21 ofvalve gear 24 occupy the relative positions indicated in, Fig. 3, itwill be seen that upon reversing the direction of operation of thedevice the shaft I0 will make almost a complete revolution before thedriving finger 23' engages the pin 21; in this manner an effectivehammer-blow action is obtained which facilitates breaking of the valveaway from its seat even though it may have a tendency to stick thereto.

Rotation of valve gear 24 in a counter-clockwise direction moves thevalve toward open position, and also, through hub 25,'set screw 40, cap32 and pin 85, rotates shaft 83 in a counter-clockwise direction. Thisrotation of shaft 83 feeds nuts and 8| therealong to the right in Fig. 1said nuts being restrained against rotation by the channel member 18.Motion of the several parts continues as above described until the valvereaches its fully open position. At this point nuts 80 and ill havetraveled to the right to a point where nut 8| has engaged travel limittrip 11 and has rotated the latter and shaft 16 in a counterclockwisedirection (Fig. 4) against the action of spring I26 sufficiently to opentravel limit switch I22, I22. Opening travel limit switch I22, I22 openscircuit I45, deenergizes coil I35, and permits switches I30, I3I, I32,I33 and I34 to open thereby breaking the circuit to the motor andbringing the device to rest.

To close the valve electrically, push button switch I21 is closed so asto energize coil I4I through the combined torque and travel limit switchlII, II2 (this switch being closed even thou h travel limit switch I22,I22 is open), and to thereby close switches I36, I31, I38. I39 and I40.Closing of the latter switches in turn sends current to the motorthrough switches I31, I30 and I39 in such a manner as to produceclockwise rotation (Fig. 2) of the armature shaft worm 98, worm gear 58and shaft I0, and short circuits push button switch I21 through holdingcircuit switches I36 and I40. Due to the construction previouslydescribed and illustrated in Fig. 3, the shaft I0 again makes almost acomplete revolution before the driving finger 23' contacts pin 21 ofvalv gear 24 and hence starts the valve from its open position with ahammer blow action.

Rotation of the valve gear 24 in a clockwise direction then moves thevalve toward closed position, and also rotates shaft 83 in the samedirection, feeding nuts 00 and BI to the left as viewed in Fig. 1. Asnut 8I moves out of contact with travel limit trip 11, the latter andshaft 16 are rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) un: der theaction of spring I26 so as to close travel limit switch I22, I22,thereby restoring the electrical circuits to the condition illustratedin Fig. 6. From this time on until the valve is closed, or until anexcessive amount of torqu is built up while the valve is moving towardclosed position, the operation of the device is as previously described.

If, for any reason, the electrical means provided to operate the deviceshould fail, the manually actuatable means shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8 maybe used. To place the hand wheel 35 in driving relation with valve gear24, glass H is broken by any suitable means, as by a hammer I46 clippedto the hand wheel for this purpose, so as to permit the plunger 39 to beforced to the right in Fig. l by spring 40. This outward movement of theplunger 39 rotates cam member 45 in a counter-clockwise direction aboutpin 46 so as to urge the end of the cam into the slot 41 of sleeve 26,as shown in Fig. 8. If slot 41 is not opposite cam 45 when the plunger39 is released, hand wheel 35 may be rotated in either direction untilthe cam registers with and enters the slot. When the elements occupy thepositions shown in Fig. 8, the hand wheel 35 may be rotated in theproper direction to open or close the valve, as

desired, the hand wheel driving the valve gear fit through cam t5, slot41, sleeve 26 and pin 21. Due to the shape of cam slot 41 as shown inFig. 2, initial rotation of hand wheel 35 and cam 45 in either directionafter engagement of the cam and slot will cause the sleeve 26 to slideto the right in Fig 1 against the action of spring 29 and to draw thepin 2'! outwardly to such an extent that, when gear 24 is rotatedthereafter, the pin will not engage the finger 23' of driving collar 23.With this construction, the manually actuatable means may be operatedwithout driving back; through transmission normally operated by themotor, At the same time, however, it will be noted that manual rotationof gear 24 also rotates shaft 88 as above described so that the nuts 80and H are moved, and limit switches Ill, H2 and H2, I22 are opened andclosed, appropriately and in such a manner that the switch mechanismwill be in its correct position should the electrical actuating meansthereafter be used to operate the valve. When it is no longer necessaryto use the manual operating means. plunger 19 may be pressed to the leftin Fig. 1 against the action of spring ll, thereby rotating cam. Mclockwise about pin 4 and disenaaslna it from slot 4'1, and a suitablepiece of glass placed under clips 42 (Fin, 2) to retain the plunger inits inward position. Spring 20 then slides sleeve 2! to the left whichin turn moves pin 21 into position for contact with the driving finger23'.

'Ihere is thus provided by the present inventlon a valve opening andclosing device of improved construction wherein are embodied novel meansfor automatically controlling the operation of an electrical motor formoving the valve to open and closed position, said means including, bothtorque responsive and travel limit mechanisms so arranged andcoordinated as to result in a device that will be efiicient anddcpcmiable in operation under all conditions of use There is alsoprovided a new and useful mechm for manually actuating a valve operatorof the normally electrically driven type which is so constructed as tobe operable independently of the elements constituting the normal drivebetween the motor and valve gear while at the same time it maintainscorrespondence between the condition of the travel limit controlmechanism and the position of the valve. But insofar as the valveoperating means disclosed herein involves alternatively operable manualmeans for opening and closing the valve, as in an emergency, the same isnot claimed herein but in copending application Serial No. 431,- 304,filed February 17, 1942, as a continuation in part hereof,

While only one specific form of the invention has been described andillustrated in the accompdnying drawings,-it will be obvious that theinvention is' not limited to the exact structure amwn but is capable ofa variety of mechanical ants. Various changes, which will now suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, may be made in the form, detailsof construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit of the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to theappended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

i. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means circuitwhen the torque supply circuit for aid motor,

adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivablyassociated with said drive shaft, means including a gear member mountedon including a gear member mounted on said drive I tiveiy thereto, andmeans operatively connecting S310 interposed member and drive shaft soconstiucteu and arranged as to produce both rotauon and axial movementof said member relatively to said drive shaft when the torquetransmitted from said motor to said drive shaft exceeos a predeterminedvalue. 1

A. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination or adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivaolyassociated with said drive shaft, means including a gear member mountedon said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor to saiddrive shaft, and torque responsive means for opening said motor suppiycircuit when the torque transmitted from said motor to said drive shaftexceeds a predetermined value including a sleeve member having at leasta portion thereof housed within said gear member and operativelyconnected with both said gear member and said:;'

drive shaft, said sleeve member and its connectlons to said gear memberand drive shaft being so constructed and arranged that the occurrence ofan excessive torque produces a relative rotauonal movement or and gearand sleeve membars with respect to said drive shaft and an axialmovement or said sleeve member relative to both said gear member anddrive shaft away from its normal driving position.

3. In a valve operator of the class described,

the combination of a driving motor, an electrical supply circuit forsaidmotor, a drive shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valvedrive means drivably associated with said drive shaft, means including agear member mounted on said drive shim for transmitting torque from saidmotor to said drive shaft, and torque reaponsive means for opening saidmotor supply transmitted from said motor to said drive shaft exceeds apredetermined value including a sleeve member having at least a portionthereof housed within. said gear member and operatlvely connected withboth said gear member and said drive shaft, said sleeve member and itsconnections to said gear member and drive shaft being so constructed andarranged that the occurrence of an excesaive torque produces a relativerotational move- -ment or said gear and sleeve members with respect tosaid drive shaft and an axial movement of said sleeve member relative toboth said sear member and drive shaft away from its normal drivingposition, and yieldable means for resisting said relative movements ofsaid gear and sleeve members until the occurrence of said exceaaivetorque.

4. In a valve operator of the clue described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical a drive shaft said drive shaft fortransmitting torque from said motor to said drive'shaft, and torquerelponslve means for opening said motor supply circuit when the torquetransmitted from said drlvably iated with said drive shaft. means motorto said drive shaft exceeds a prcdeteh mined value including a sleevemember having at least a portion thereof housed within said gear memberand operatively connected with both said gear member and said driveshaft, said sleeve member and its connections to said gear member anddrive shaft being so constructed and arranged that the occurrence of anexcessive torque produces a relative rotational movement of said gearand sleeve members with respect to said drive shaft and an axialmovement of said sleeve member relative to both said gear member anddrive shaft away from its normal driving position, a spring foryieldably resisting axial movement of said sleeve member in onedirection, and means for positively prevent ng axial movement of saidsleeve member in the opposite direction beyond its normal drivingposition.

5. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivablyassociated with said drive'shaft, means including a gear member mountedon said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor to saiddrive shaft, and torque responsive means for opening said motor supplycircuit when the torque transmitted from said motor to said drive shaftexceeds a predetermined value including a sleeve member having at leasta portion thereof housed within said gear member and operativelyconnected with both said gear member and said drive shaft, said-sleevemember and its connections to said gear member and drive shaft being soconstructed and arranged that the occurrence of an excessive torqueproduces a relative rotational movement of said gear and sleeve memberswith respect to said drive shaft and an axial movement of said sleevemember relative to both said gear member and drive shaft away from itsnormal driving position, a member mounted in a normally fixed axialposition with respect to said drive shaft, and a compression springoperatively interposed between said last named member and said sleevemember for yieldably resisting axial movement of the latter out of itsnormal driving position.

6. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivablyassociated with said drive shaft, means including a gear member mountedon said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor to saiddrive shaft, and torque responsive means for opening said motor supplycircuit whenever the torque transmitted from said motor to said driveshaft exceeds a predetermined value including a cam groove formed insaid drive shaft, a sleeve member interposed between said gear memberand said drive shaft, means operatively connecting said sleeve and gearmembers for rotation together but permitting a relative axial movementtherebetween, a cam follower member carried by said sleeve member andengaging said cam groove, said cam follower and groove providing anormally effective driving connection between said sleeve member anddrive shaft but permitting a limited -rotational and axial movement ofsaid sleeve member relatively to said driving shaft, means yieldablyresisting axial movement of said sleeve member out of its normal drivingposition, and means actuated by such axial movement of said sleevemember for opening said motor supply circuit, said cam groove andyieldable resisting means being so constructed and arranged as toproduce a relative rotational movement of said gear and sleeve memberswith respect to said drive shaft and an axial movement of said sleevemember relative to both said gear member and drive shaft when the torquetransmitted from said motor to said drive shaft exceeds a predeterminedvalue.

7. In a valve operator-of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivablyassociated with said drive shaft, means including a gear member mountedon said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor to saiddrive shaft, and torque responsive means for opening said motor supplycircuit whenever the torque transmitted from said motor to said driveshaft exceeds a predetermined value including a cam groove formed insaid drive shaft, a sleeve member interposed between said gear memberand said drive shaft and keyed to said gear member for rotationtherewith and axial movement relative thereto, a cam follower membercarried by said sleeve member and engaging said cam groove, said camfollowcr and groove providing a normally effective driving connectionbetween said sleeve member and drive shaft but permitting a limitedrotational and axial movement of said sleeve member relatively to saiddriving shaft, means positively preventing axial movement of said sleevemember in one direction beyond its normal driving position, acompression spring yieldably resisting axial movement of said sleevemember in the opposite direction, and means actuated by the axialmovement of said sleeve member in said last mentioned direction foropening said motor supply circuit, said cam groove and spring being soconstructed and arranged as to produce a relative rotational movement ofsaid gear and sleeve members with respect to said drive shaft and anaxial movement of said sleeve member relative to both said gear memberand drive shaft when the torque transmitted from said motor to saiddrive shaft exceeds a predetermined value.

8. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, on electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive means drivablyassociated with said drive shaft, means including a gear member mountedon said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor to saiddrive shaft, torque responsive means for controlling said motor supplycircuit including a sleeve member interposed between said gear memberand drive shaft and keyed t0 the former for rotation therewith and axialmovement relatively thereto, and means operatively connecting saidsleeve member and drive shaft so constructed and arranged as to produceboth rotation and axial movement of said sleeve member relatively tosaid drive shaft when the torqu transmitted from said motor to saiddrive shaft exceeds a. predetermined value during travel of the valve invalve closing direction, and travel limit means including a rotatableelement coaxial with said drive shaft and drivably connected with saidvalve drive means for opening said motorcircuit at a predetermined pointin the travel of the valve in valve opening direction.

9. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a hollowdrive shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive meansdrivably associated with said drive shaft, means including a gear membermounted on said drive shaft for transmitting torque from said motor tosaid drive shaft, torque responsive means including a sleeve memberinterposed between and operatively connected with both said gear memberand drive shaft and movable axially relatively thereto for opening saidmotor supply circuit when the torque transmitted from said motor to saiddrive shaft exceeds-a predetermined value during travel of the valve invalve closing direction, and travel limit means for opening said motorcircuit at a predetermined point in the travel of the valve in valveopening direction including a threaded shaft passing through the bore ofsaid hollow drive shaft and drivably connected to said valve drivemeans, non-rotatable means having threaded engagement with said threadedshaft for axial movement therealong, and means actuated by the axialmovement of said last named means for opening said motor supply circuit.

10. In a valve operator of the class described, the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a hollowdrive shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive meansdrivably associated with said drive shaft,

means including a gear member mounted on said drive shaft fortransmitting torque from said motor to said drive shaft, torqueresponsive means including a sleeve member interposed between andoperatively connected with both said gear member and drive shaft andmovable axially relatively thereto for opening said motor supply circuitwhen the torque transmitted from said motor to said drive shaft exceedsa predetermined value during travelof the valve in valve closingdirection, and travel limit means for opening mal conditions said torqueresponsive means are effective to open the motor supply circuit prior tomovement of said traveler means to circuit opening position.

11. In a valve operator of the class described,"

the combination of a driving motor, an electrical supply circuit forsaid motor, a drive shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valvedrive means drivably associated with said drive shaft,

means drivably associated with said drive shaft,

structed and arranged relatively to each other that upon seating of thevalve under normal conditions said torque responsive means are effectiveto open the motor supply circuit prior to circuit opening operation ofsaid travel limit means, leaving said last named means in operablecondition to open said circuit in the event that said torque responsivemeans should fail to operate properLv.

12. In a valve operator of the class described,

the combination of a driving motor, an electrical supply circuit. forsaid motor, a drive shaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valvedrive means drivably associated with said drive shaft, a normally closedswitch in said motor supply circuit, torque responsive means for openingsaid switch when the torque transmitted from said motor to said driveshaft during movement of the valve in valve closing direction exceeds apredetermined value, an'd travel limit means also operative to open saidsame switch when the valve reaches a predetermined point in its movementin valve closing direction, said torque responsive and'travel limitmeans being so constructed and arranged relatively to each other ditionssaid torque responsive means are effective to open said switch prior tomovement of said travel limit means to switch opening position, leavingsaid last named means in operable condition to open said switch in theevent that said torque responsive means should fall to operate properly.a I

13. In a valve operator of the class described. the combination of adriving motor, an electrical supply circuit for said motor, a driveshaft adapted to be rotated by said motor, valve drive a normally closedswitch in said motor supply circuit including a tripping lever foropening said switch. torque responsive means including a member movableaxially relatively to said drive shaft and adapted to engage thetripping lever of said switch for opening said switch when the torquetransmitted from said motor to said drive shaft exceeds a predeterminedvalue, and travel limit means including a, second member movable axiallyrelatively to said drive shaft and also adapted to engage said sametripping lever for opening said switch when the valve reaches apredetermined point in its movement.

. EDWARD J. FITZ.

